Play Worker - Paediatric Psychology

Job summary

In collaboration with Starlight Children's Foundation, we are excited to be able to offer this fixed term Band 4 Playworker role to support Children and Young people (CYP) to cope with their medical condition and develop strategies to manage their associated medical regimen. To be successful in this role, you will have a relevant qualification in Play, child development, therapeutic play work or arts therapy, you will have experience of working with CYP's in social or healthcare settings.

The post holder will need to enjoy working with children, be emotionally resilient and have compassion for others. You will report to the Community play specialist in the service, see patients attending for clinic and treatment, and will be vital in reducing the anxiety surrounding hospital procedures through desensitisation and normalising play. You will work with all CYP's and their families with identified need, but with an emphasis on working with children who have developmental difficulties and / or Neurodevelopmental presentations or children who are having MRIs on a research project. This may involve supporting the wider team to understand the importance of play for these children and young people. The service is child needs led and interventions will be offered within the local community and / or The Grange Hospital dependent on the CYP's needs.

This is a fixed term contract until 31 March 2026

Main duties of the job

Using therapeutic play techniques to help children understand and cope with their medical condition, treatment and its impact on their daily life.

Supporting the lead health play specialist through their triage, to manage a large caseload of children within clinical pathways.

Working within outpatient clinics with children/young people (CYP) and their families.

Attending home visits to support children's wellbeing through play.

Supporting the collection of case studies and impact evidence, within the boundaries of informed consent and agreed procedures

Using evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions for children and young people.

Support Starlight as requested and in collaboration with the health play specialist

Carry out other duties as agreed with the Senior health play specialist and Starlight supervisor.

As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children's Foundation there will an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as to support at external events.

In addition to being part of the Paediatric Psychology Service, you will also be part of the Starlight Children's Foundation with access to regular supervision, training, and resources.

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.